18 replies to this topic

[leepol83]

Hi I’m currently rebuilding a cooper sportspack and want to keep it looking originals be it little lower and Fatter, my question is can the wheels be made wider say 13” by 8 or even 7 as apposed to the 6” width? Obviously they’ll need cutting and welding is this doable ?????
Thank you ?

[Twincam]

I've personally never seen 'banding' done to alloys, only steel wheels. I have seen alloys being made into 'split rims' so there is always the possibility (and expense) if you wanted to go down that route.

Thats my experience, others may say different.

[Itsaminithing]

Band an alloy wheel? -probably not an economic option.

It's easy enough to buy 13x7 inch Sports Pack lookalike alloys but try driving a MPI with them fitted before going to the expense of buying a set for yourself.

Maybe you will like constantly changing knackered wheel bearings, the heavier steering, & the increased level of tram-lining (& that's on a car with fully adjustable suspension, let alone a standard set-up).

[g0myw]

got agree with itsaminithing those sportspack wheels look great ... but I prefer the driving experiance of a more traditional width wheel/tyre

[leepol83]

Ok thanks for you’re thought reallly appreciate it can anyone point me in the direction of these 7/13 sportspack alloys please
Thanks

[danie garry]

i don't think there was ever a 7inch wide sportspack wheel, the only options would be superlight/minilight style wheel that'll have some dish

i'm guessing you want the wheels "banded" inwards, ie. no dish though? i'd imagine that would cause some clearance issues for the tie rods anyway

[Steve220]

Ok thanks for you’re thought reallly appreciate it can anyone point me in the direction of these 7/13 sportspack alloys please
Thanks

There aren't any. Only ultralight or superlight 8 spokes.

[nicklouse]

Hi I’m currently rebuilding a cooper sportspack and want to keep it looking originals be it little lower and Fatter, my question is can the wheels be made wider say 13” by 8 or even 7 as apposed to the 6” width? Obviously they’ll need cutting and welding is this doable ?????
Thank you

you can get some wheels turned into 2 piece wheels where the outer rim is removed and a set of bolts is added to allow a new outer rim part to be added. often done on the old Mini special rims.

[Cooperman]

The problem is maximum tyre width.
The widest road-legal tyre available in 13" is a 175/50 and for a 12" wheel it's 165/60. Max wheel width for either is 6" and any wider and the tyre will be stretched too much.

It is different for racing when sticky slick tyres are needed for dry track conditions.

Remember, the Mini was designed to have 145 width tyres on 3.5" wheels and even the original Cooper S had that as standard.

[leepol83]

Thanks everyone looks like it’s a bad idea, I’ll maybe fit some wheel spacers instead, what’s the safest way of doing this will I need longer studs ?
Thanks again

[Cooperman]

Thanks everyone looks like it’s a bad idea, I’ll maybe fit some wheel spacers instead, what’s the safest way of doing this will I need longer studs ?
Thanks again

There is no safe way to fit spacers and spacers screw up the steering geometry if used just to push the outer rims of the wheels further out. Not a good idea.

[leepol83]

Copy that!!! ??

[hutch8282]

Go with your own thoughts, that's what these little cars are all about.

 

For me the wider the better, guys at force racing make some class split rims 13 x 8s with some 225 45 13 R888R and your able to get some serious power to the road.

[Bobbins]

Go with your own thoughts, that's what these little cars are all about.
 
For me the wider the better, guys at force racing make some class split rims 13 x 8s with some 225 45 13 R888R and your able to get some serious power to the road.

That makes a good car for looking at, much less so to actually drive. But everyone to their own.

[Cooperman]

That width is entirely unsuitable for a small car weighing around 700 kg.

The ability to clear water on a wet road would be very poor. A 225 section tyre is best suited to a car weighing over 2000 kg.

Sounds like a triumph of styling perception over engineering sense.